We're going to San Juan this weekend. Going back to Marmalade (which we loved), and trying Pikayo for the first time. Still looking for some good lunch places in Condado and old San Juan, and a more casual (but delicious!) dinner option.

I have the original and love it. The pizza dough and ice cream recipes are great staples. And people love the gingersnaps so much that I usually just take credit without telling them they probably have the recipe at home.

Last year I made a garlic roast chicken (stuff whole cloves under the skin, rub olive oil on top), grilled asparagus with saffron lemon aioli, and sauteed garlic and rosemary potatoes. Most things could be prepared ahead of time, and it was all pretty light.

I use Mark Bittman's basic french vanilla ice cream as a base (without the vanilla). One of my favorites for the summer is mint ice cream with a lemon curd swirl. I add mint leaves to the cream while it's heating and then strain them out at the end. Also, homemade ice cream is definitely best when it's fresh from the machine.

I'm headed to San Juan this weekend so I'm also interested in recs. I've been a few times, but not for a few years so I'd love some input. We have reservations at Marmalade one night, and are considering Ajili Mojili in Condado for another dinner, and La Mallorquina in the old city for a lunch.

I've heard that zucchini is one of the easiest vegetables to grow, but this is my first time with it and I have some (very) basic questions. I have a healthy-looking plant with a few flowers on it, but the blossoms just drop off their stems after a while. Is this normal (in mid-June in Virginia)? Also, I'd like to keep some of the blossoms to eat - what is the best way to harvest them, and will it keep fruit from growing?

I moved from Charleston a couple years ago, but when I lived there I was a poor early-twentysomething too. The rooftop bars and Vendue Inn and Market Pavillion (both on East Bay, more or less across from each other) are fun, although I wouldn't recommend their food. Vendue is a bit more casual and college-y, Market Pavillion is more upscale. Does anyone on this board know if Meritage is still open? It was always a great choice for well-priced tapas and a fun atmosphere. I don't know if they take reservations, but they definitely have room for a group. I second Cypress - great food and a pretty place. Pearlz is fun, but it's a pretty small restaurant and I don't know if your group would be able to sit together. Blossom has good-priced options, too. Chai is also good, and has a patio area that could be fun if it's not too hot. I hope this helps!

Thanks for the advice! I just scooped up the whole area of radishes, along with the caterpillars and their eggs. I have more radishes in another spot, and I figured I shouldn't risk leaving any of those eggs behind. I'll look into getting some BT so I can be prepared for another attack!

I'm a newbie gardener with a very newbie garden (when I moved in last year, the yard was overrun with litter and weeds). I put in a small vegetable and herb garden, and a small flower garden. Everything seems to be doing well, but this morning I noticed that all the leaves of my radishes have been chewed through, and the leaves that are left have dark green bumps and small green caterpillars on them. I'm trying to be as nature-friendly as possible, and I don't want to kill anything that could be benign or even useful in the garden. What category are these little caterpillars in? So far it looks like the radishes are the only things they've attacked, but are my other plants next? And if I should get rid of them, what's the best way?

The Farmer's Almanac website has planting dates that include schedules for planting by the moon. I tried it this year with some plants when I remembered, so we'll see what happens. I've heard good things, but so far I haven't noticed much of a difference.

My sous chef (don't tell him I said that) did take some pictures. Here's the final result. You can see that the longer, straighter loaf is from the bread pan. Good luck with your baking! I had a lot of fun trying it, and the kneading is certainly a good stress reliever. I'm looking forward to your comments on how it turns out.

I used a pan for one loaf and a baking sheet for the other two to see what the difference might be. The pan made a nicely rounded shape, and it probably was more evenly cooked, but I didn't have any problem with the sheet. Just make sure you give them enough room.

Thanks for all the tips! I used the Julia recipe and KA flour and everything was great. I was prepared for this to be more of a learning experience with plenty of notes and adjustments for next time, but I must say that I was very happy with my first results!

We had the bread with as a sandwich with sliced radishes and butter, and also sliced with some cheese. I'll definitely be doing this again!

Funny - as soon as I told my French grandmother that I had planted radishes this spring, she told me I had to make a radish and butter sandwich on a baguette. She said to use the best French butter I can find, a crusty baguette, and a pinch of salt. Now I just have to wait for the radishes to be ready!

Can't go wrong there! I'm planning to go shopping for the meats, cheeses, butter and jams while I wait for dough to rise. My grandmother (who is french and a wonderful cook) has ordered me to make a sandwich with the radishes from my garden, french butter, a pinch of salt, and of course the baguette. I've never had a radish-butter sandwich before, but she's the authority.

Now that it's spring and I've managed to build myself an herb garden, I'd love some cocktail ideas that will help me put it to good use! So far I have mint, cilantro, basil, lavender, parsley, and rosemary. I also have a vegetable garden (with cucumber for my Pimm's!) and a few edible flowers that could come in handy. Your favorite spring and summer cocktail ideas are welcome, as are any suggestions for plants to add and cocktails to accompany them. I'm looking forward to your ideas!

I have a small apartment with a small garden to match. Before I came, it was a patch of litter and weeds. I loved raking and cleaning and weeding and building my garden. I get up early and inspect every square inch (there aren't too many) for weeds (of which there are many). I love gardening even when I want to pull my hair out in frustration. That said, I also love taking a break to sit on the patio with a cold drink and knowing I've earned it.

She just got to Rome a week or so ago and has stayed pretty close to her apartment and campus for food. She asked me to do some research since she and her roommates usually get groceries from the market, and they don't want to spend money eating out often. As far as the birthday dinner goes, some of the names that caught my eye are: Il Convivio, Antico Arco, Tuna, Paris, and Trattoria Monti. I'd love to hear about anyone's experiences at these places, and especially Tuna - my sister doesn't eat red meat so this restaurant sounds like a good option for her.

I'm visiting my sister in Rome for her 21st birthday in late February. I've been reading up on some of the great recs on this board, but I'm looking mostly for a great dinner to take her to for her big day. She's spending the semester there, so we'll rely on her choices for most of the day-to-day places that she's found on her college student budget. We're staying at the Wine Academy by the Spanish Steps. I know that they have a restaurant there, but we'll probably eat there another night and want to go somewhere new for the birthday dinner.

So - what are your favorite great restaurants in Rome? I'm happy to hear about lunch and cocktails, but mostly dinner! Thanks, and I look forward to your input!

Just got back from a visit and McCrady's was as wonderful as ever. We went to Social for a drink before dinner which was nice, and close to a lot of the restaurants that are being recommended here. Rooftop at Venue is a great place for a drink (and the view), but avoid the food. Blind Tiger is also a fun place for drinks, and their courtyard makes it especially good on a nice Charleston night.

I'm sure it's the C of C student in me, but no visit is complete without lunch and a margarita at Yo Burrito. Have a great trip!

Two crab dishes definitely aren't out of the question for me. I was considering mini crab cakes, but I like the stuffed mushrooms too! Unfortunately, I'll be the only Baltimoron in the group, so not everyone will have the same Old Bay addiction that I was born with.

I also thought of tapenade, which can be purple-ish with Kalamata olives. Thanks for all the great ideas! Keep them coming.

My Ravens are playing this Sunday and I want to serve food and drinks that are Baltimore and/ or Ravens-themed. Some things I'm considering: crab dip, Old Bay wings, purple drinks, etc. Has anyone tried a great purple cocktail/ shot? (So many of the purple shot recipes are too syrupy sweet.) Or do you have a recipe for classic Bmore dishes or any purple food? I enjoy cooking and complex recipes don't worry me - I just want them to be delicious!

Thanks for all your help. I look forward to hearing from everyone (well maybe not Steelers fans).

Thanks for all the recs! We ended up going to Sensi, and really enjoyed the meal. My only two complaints would be that the menu wasn't as interesting as some others in the area, and the dining room was so large that I felt like I was in a hotel lobby or convention room. A place like Verbena is hit or miss, but it's a great space and I feel like the menu takes a few risks.

Thanks again for the great recs. I'm glad to have a new restaurant on my list!